Overview

• Russia halted gas supplies to Moldova and the breakaway region of Transnistria, citing unpaid debts and Ukraine's decision to end Russian gas transit through its territory.
• Residents in Transnistria and Moldovan villages connected to its grid are enduring rolling blackouts, lack of heating, and rising energy costs during winter.
• Moldova's government is exploring alternative gas routes and has offered to supply Transnistria with gas through its national company, Moldovagaz, at market prices.
• The energy crisis is intensifying political tensions, with Moscow accused of leveraging the situation to destabilize Moldova's pro-European government ahead of parliamentary elections later this year.
• Efforts to secure Western energy support and infrastructure investment are critical to Moldova's long-term goal of reducing dependence on Russian energy and aligning with the European Union.